After an eight-month hiatus, the WNBA returns on Friday, May 19, as the league’s 27^th season tips off with a four-game slate. Before the action begins this weekend, it is time again for the annual “on paper” power rankings, where we offer our best projections for the season before a single game has been played.

The offseason saw the triumphant return of Brittney Griner following her near 10-month imprisonment in Russia, three former MVPs (Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones) change teams, a pair of super teams formed (Las Vegas and New York), numerous coaching changes (Connecticut, LA, Indiana, Washington, and Dallas), plenty of player movement and a new generation of talent entering the league at last month’s draft (led by South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston).

Below is the first of our weekly power rankings series – published every Monday throughout the season – looking at how the teams stack up with the season less than a week away.

1. Las Vegas Aces

• 2022 Record: 26-10
• 2022 Result: Won WNBA Finals over Connecticut (3-1)
• Key Re-signings: Sydney Colson, Kiah Stokes
• Key Additions: Candace Parker, Alysha Clark, Cayla George
• Key Losses: Dearica Hamby
• Draft Picks: Brittany Davis

Can the Aces become the first team in over two decades to successfully defend the WNBA championship and join the Houston Comets (1997-2000) and Los Angeles Sparks (2001-02) as the only repeat champions in league history? Las Vegas brings back much of the core from last year’s title team – reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year A’ja Wilson, Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, Most Improved Player Jackie Young, All-Star Game MVP Kelsey Plum, and Coach of the Year Becky Hammon – while adding two-time MVP and two-time champion Candace Parker to the roster, as well as Alysha Clark.

Parker has a chance at her history as she can become the first player to win titles with three different franchises after winning with both the Sparks (2016) and Sky (2021) before joining the Aces this offseason. However, Las Vegas wasn’t the only super team built this offseason.

2. New York Liberty

• 2022 Record: 16-20
• 2022 Result: Lost to Chicago in First Round (2-1)
• Key Re-signings: None
• Key Additions: Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot, Kayla Thornton
• Key Losses: Natasha Howard, Crystal Dangerfield, Michaela Onyenwere
• Draft Picks: Okako Adika, signed 2022 pick Nyara Sabally

The Aces would be prohibitive favorites to win the WNBA title had it not been for the Liberty forming their own super team in New York City. While the Aces added one former MVP in Parker, the Liberty added two by acquiring 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones in a trade with Connecticut and signing 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart as a free agent from Seattle. The Liberty didn’t just add a pair of former MVPs, Jones and Stewart are entering their seventh WNBA season, entering the league together in 2016 (Stewart at No. 1, Jones at No. 6) and in the absolute prime of their respective careers.

And the Liberty still weren’t done, as they also signed Courtney Vandersloot, who enters the season ranked third all-time in assists, while keeping All-Stars Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney, and Stefanie Dolson, as well as sharpshooter Marine Johannès on the roster. Can this squad deliver New York its first WNBA title in franchise history? One of the league’s eight original franchises, the Liberty was on the losing end of the WNBA Finals in four of the first six years of the league but has not been back to the Finals since 2002.

3. Washington Mystics

• 2022 Record: 22-14
• 2022 Result: Lost to Seattle in First Round (2-0)
• Key Re-signings: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
• Key Additions: Brittney Sykes, Kristi Toliver, Amanda Zahui B, Head coach Eric Thibault
• Key Losses: Alysha Clark, Elizabeth Williams, Head Coach Mike Thibault
• Draft Picks: Stephanie Soares (traded for future picks), Elena Tsineke (waived), Txell Alarcón (will not come to WNBA this season)

The term “super team” has been used a lot this offseason to describe the moves made by Las Vegas and New York. In Washington, there is another term – “load management” – that they will be happy not to repeat this season regarding Elena Delle Donne, who has been plagued with back injuries since the Mystics’ championship run in 2019. The strategy to rest Delle Donne and keep her home on some road trips limited the former MVP to 25 games last regular season, but the hope is that she remains healthy enough not to miss games or need to employ that strategy again this season. The Mystics were 18-7 (.720) with Delle Donne in the lineup last season, a win percentage that would have had Washington on par with the top finishers in the league (.722 for Las Vegas and Chicago).

The Mystics are one of five teams with a new head coach as Eric Thibault takes over for his father, Mike, who remains in the Mystics’ front office. Washington brought back point guard Kristi Toliver, also from the 2019 title team, and added defensive stalwart Brittney Sykes in the offseason to bolster its roster.

4. Connecticut Sun

• 2022 Record: 25-11
• 2022 Result: Lost to Las Vegas in WNBA Finals (3-1)
• Key Re-signings: Brionna Jones, Natisha Hiedeman
• Key Additions: Tiffany Hayes, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Rebecca Allen, Tyasha Harris, HCoachoach Stephanie White
• Key Losses: Jonquel Jones, Jasmine Thomas, Head Coach Curt Miller
• Draft Picks: Alexis Morris and Ashten Prechtel (both waived in training camp)

The Sun are coming off their second Finals appearance in the past four seasons, but are still searching for the first title in franchise history. Connecticut’s next run will look slightly different as the offseason saw former MVP Jones traded to New York, while Head Coach Curt Miller and guard Jasmine Thomas left for Los Angeles. Stephanie White takes over as head coach as she returns to the WNBA after a five-season run at Vanderbilt (2016-2021); she previously was head coach of the Fever from 2015-16.

While the losses of Jones and J. Thomas will hurt, White inherits a veteran squad that still has plenty of talent to make another playoff run. That includes Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, reigning Sixth Player of the Year Brionna Jones (who re-signed in the offseason and is ready for a more significant role), Natisha Hiedeman (who started in place of the injured Jasmine Thomas last season), and add a pair of former UConn Huskies in Tiffany Hayes (who spent the first decade of her WNBA career in Atlanta) and Olivia Nelson-Ododa (who came over in the Jasmine Thomas trade).

5. Dallas Wings

• 2022 Record: 18-18
• 2022 Result: Lost to Connecticut in First Round (2-1)
• Key Re-signings: Teaira McCowan
• Key Additions: Diamond DeShields, Natasha Howard, Crystal Dangerfield, Kalani Brown, Head Coach Latricia Trammell
• Key Losses: Allisha Gray, Marina Mabrey, Kayla Thornton, Head Coach Vickie Johnson
• Draft Picks: Maddy Siegrist, Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Ashley Joens, Abby Meyers (waived)

The Wings finished at 18-18 last season for their first .500 or better season since relocating to Dallas in 2016. They also picked up their first playoff win of the Dallas era before falling to Connecticut in three games. The Wings were very active this offseason, executing trades to acquire former champions Diamond DeShields (from Phoenix) and Natasha Howard (from New York), as well as point guard Crystal Dangerfield (from New York), while moving on from Allisha Gray (to Atlanta for draft picks, including No. 3 pick Maddy Siegrist) and Marina Mabrey (to Chicago in the four-team deal for DeShields).

The Wings also re-signed Teaira McCowan, who closed her first season in Dallas strong, and made a coaching change, bringing in Latricia Trammell from Los Angeles in place of Vickie Johnson. The past four seasons have seen the Wings slowly improving (.294 win percentage in 2019, .364 in 2020, .438 in 2021, .500 in 2022); can 2023 be a breakthrough year for the franchise?

6. Phoenix Mercury 

• 2022 Record: 15-21
• 2022 Result: Lost to Las Vegas in First Round (2-0)
• Key Re-signings: Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Shey Peddy, Sophie Cunningham, Megan Gustafson, Jennie Simms, Sam Thomas
• Key Additions: Moriah Jefferson, Michaela Onyenwere
• Key Losses: Diamond DeShields, Kia Nurse, Reshanda Gray, Kaela Davis, Yvonne Turner
• Draft Picks: Kadi Sissoko, Destiny Harden (waived)

While the entire WNBA family felt the absence of Griner in 2022, it was tough in Phoenix as the Mercury played out the season with heavy hearts knowing a piece of their team was missing. It was part of a whirlwind season in Phoenix that also saw Tina Charles leave via a contract divorce midseason and Skylar Diggins-Smith leave for personal reasons in this season’s final week. Diggins-Smith remains on maternity leave as the season opens, and there has been no word about her potential return to the Mercury at this time.

Griner’s release and her decision to return to basketball for the Mercury make this season a success even before their first game officially tips off on Friday at Los Angeles (11 p.m. ET, ESPN). Diana Taurasi is back for her 19^th WNBA season as well as Sophie Cunningham, Brianna Turner, and Shey Peddy. The Mercury also added guard Moriah Jefferson via free agency and forward Michaela Onyenwere as part of the Diamond DeShields trade.

7. Minnesota Lynx

• 2022 Record: 14-22
• 2022 Result: Missed Playoffs
• Key Re-signings: Rachel Banham, Bridget Carleton, Damiris Dantas, Nikolina Milić, Lindsay Allen
• Key Additions: Tiffany Mitchell
• Key Losses: Sylvia Fowles (retired), Moriah Jefferson
• Draft Picks: Diamond Miller, Dorka Juhász, Taylor Soule (waived), Brea Beal (waived)

The 2022 season saw the final pieces of the Lynx championship dynasty say goodbye with the retirements of Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore (who had not played since 2018 but made her retirement official in the offseason); it also saw the end of Minnesota’s 11-year streak of playoff appearances as the Lynx finished ninth in the standings, one game back from tying Indiana’s record of a dozen straight postseason appearances. Minnesota will look to start a new streak, led by Napheesa Collier, who was limited to only four games last season due to maternity leave.

The Lynx return veterans Aerial Powers, Kayla McBride, Jessica Shepard, Rachel Banham, and Natalie Achonwa. Minnesota signed free agent guard Tiffany Mitchell, ready for a fresh start after spending the first seven years of her WNBA career in Indiana, where the Fever went a combined 62-164. The Lynx beat the odds at the draft lottery and moved up to No. 2, where they selected Diamond Miller, a dynamic wing out of Maryland that will be a foundational player for this new era of Lynx basketball.

8. Los Angeles Sparks 

• 2022 Record: 13-23
• 2022 Result: Missed Playoffs
• Key Re-signings: Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, Jordin Canada, Lexie Brown
• Key Additions: Dearica Hamby, Jasmine Thomas, Azurá Stevens, Layshia Clarendon, Karlie Samuelson, Reshanda Gray, Head Coach Curt Miller
• Key Losses: Brittney Sykes, Kristi Toliver, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Chennedy Carter, Interim Head Coach Fred Williams
• Draft Picks: Zia Cooke, Shaneice Swain, Monika Czinano (waived)
• Before 2022, the Los Angeles Sparks had missed the playoffs in consecutive years only once – 1997 and 1998, the first two seasons of the WNBA when only four total teams qualified for the playoffs. Last season was filled with turmoil in LA. There was the firing of head coach/general manager Derek Fisher after 12 games, the contract divorce with prized free agent signing Liz Cambage after 25 games played that came in the middle of a six-game losing streak, part of a run of nine losses in LA’s final ten games to close the season.

In need of a fresh start, the Sparks hired Curt Miller, who had led the Sun to the playoffs for six straight seasons, including two Finals appearances, as Head Coach and Karen Bryant as General Manager. The Sparks re-signed the Ogwumike sisters, guards Jordin Canada and Lexie Brown, while also adding guard Jasmine Thomas (who played just five games last season due to a torn ACL), forward Dearica Hamby (who is currently on maternity leave after playing in the WNBA Finals early in her pregnancy) and center Azurá Stevens from Chicago to bolster the roster.

9. Atlanta Dream 

• 2022 Record: 14-22
• 2022 Result: Missed Playoffs
• Key Re-signings: Nia Coffey, AD Durr, Monique Billings, Cheyenne Parker
• Key Additions: Allisha Gray, Danielle Robinson
• Key Losses: Tiffany Hayes, Erica Wheeler, Kia Vaughn (retired)
• Draft Picks: Haley Jones, Laeticia Amihere, Leigha Brown (traded to Connecticut Sun)

The Dream enters the 2023 season looking to end a four-year playoff drought. After making it to the semifinals in 2018, Atlanta endured three straight single-digit win seasons before jumping to 14-22 last season. Not only was 2022 the first year under head coach Tanisha Wright, but it also marked the debut of Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard – Atlanta’s first No. 1 overall draft pick since Angel McCoughtry in 2009.

The Dream had a busy offseason, executing trades to acquire Allisha Gray from Dallas and Danielle Robinson from Indiana, while saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player, Tiffany Hayes, after a decade in the ATL. It was a mix of adding new pieces (Gray, Robinson, and a pair of top-eight draft picks) and maintaining some continuity (re-signing Nia Coffey, AD Durr, Monique Billings, and Cheyenne Parker). Will it be the right mix to get back to the postseason?

10. Chicago Sky 

• 2022 Record: 26-10
• 2022 Result: Lost to Connecticut in Semifinals (3-2)
• Key Re-signings: Rebekah Gardner
• Key Additions: Isabelle Harrison, Marina Mabrey, Courtney Williams, Elizabeth Williams, Alanna Smith, Astou Ndour-Fall
• Key Losses: Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Julie Allemand, Azurá Stevens, Emma Meesseman (free agent)
• Draft Picks: Kseniya Malashka, Kayana Traylor (waived)

It’s not often that you see a team win a title one year, come within a game of returning to the championship series the next, then blow up in the offseason. But that is what happened to the Chicago Sky. After winning their first title in 2021, they fell to Connecticut in a win-or-go-home Game 5 in the 2022 semifinals, then saw nearly the entire core of that 2021 title team exit. Candace Parker headed to Las Vegas, Courtney Vandersloot (who had been with the Sky since 2011) headed to New York, Azurá Stevens signed with Los Angeles, Allie Quigley chose not to play in 2023, and Emma Meesseman remains an unsigned free agent.

In an attempt to reload rather than rebuild, the Sky brought in a mix of veteran players to surround 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, including guards Marina Mabrey and Courtney Williams, forward Isabelle Harrison, and center/forward Elizabeth Williams. Now it is up to head coach James Wade to mix his new talent with the limited returning players and try to keep their streak of four straight playoff appearances alive.

11. Seattle Storm

• 2022 Record: 22-14
• 2022 Result: Lost to Las Vegas in Semifinals (3-1)
• Key Re-signings: Ezi Magbegor
• Key Additions: Kia Nurse, Sami Whitcomb, Yvonne Turner, Theresa Plaisance, Jasmine Walker, Arella Guirantes, Kaila Charles, Ivana Dojkić
• Key Losses: Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird (retired), Stephanie Talbot, Briann January (retired), Tina Charles (free agent), Gabby Williams
• Draft Picks: Jordan Horston, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Madi Williams (waived), Jade Loville (waived)

The 2020 champion Storm faces a similar situation as the 2021 champion Sky, as tentpoles from that championship foundation are no longer in Seattle. Following the retirement of Sue Bird (after two decades with the Storm), Seattle also lost two-time Finals MVP Breanna Stewart to New York in one of the biggest free-agent signings in WNBA history. After being part of a big three with Bird and Stewart, Jewell Loyd takes center stage for the Storm as they enter a new era.

Seattle brought in a mix of veterans and young players to fill out the roster. Kia Nurse (who is making her return following an ACL tear in October 2021) and Yvonne Turner come over from Phoenix, Sami Whitcomb returns to Seattle after playing the past two seasons in New York, while Theresa Plaisance comes from the defending champion Aces. The Storm also re-signed center Ezi Magbegor, who started 23 games for Seattle last season and posted career-best numbers in her third year in the league, all with the Storm. The Storm have been a perennial playoff team – with seven straight appearances and only five seasons in their 24-year history ending without a postseason appearance. Keeping that streak alive will be a challenge in 2023, but one Loyd and the Storm will welcome as they try to prove doubters wrong.

12. Indiana Fever

• 2022 Record: 5-31
• 2022 Result: Missed Playoffs
• Key Re-signings: Victoria Vivians, Emma Cannon
• Key Additions: Erica Wheeler, Maya Caldwell, Kristy Wallace, Head coach Christie Sides
• Key Losses: Danielle Robinson, Emily Engstler, Interim head coach Carlos Knox
• Draft Picks: Aliyah Boston, Grace Berger, Victaria Saxton, Taylor Mikesell (waived), LaDazhia Williams (waived)

The Fever have been in the lottery for the past six seasons after their record streak of 12 straight playoff appearances ended in 2016. The lottery has included hits and misses for the Fever as Kelsey Mitchell and NaLyssa Smith – the No. 2 picks in 2016 and 2022, respectively – are the only lottery picks to remain on the team from the previous five years, while four other selections are either with other teams or out of the league. But 2023 saw the Fever win the No. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history, which Indiana used to add Aliyah Boston, a foundational piece that should make an immediate impact for a team eager to climb out of the cellar.

Christie Sides takes over as head coach and acquires a roster filled with young talent, with only one player with more than five years of WNBA experience. That player is Erica Wheeler, who won All-Star MVP honors as a member of the Fever in 2019 before playing the past two seasons in Los Angeles and Atlanta, respectively. While making the postseason is the goal for every team, progress is the key for the Fever in 2023 as they look to take steps in the right direction after six seasons of frustration. With Boston and Smith, the Fever have a promising frontline for years to come. How they develop together and how the rest of the roster develops around them will be key to Indiana’s improvement this season.

Longtime WNBA reporter Brian Martin writes articles on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.